Toll an Lochain

Toll an Lochain is one of the most magnificent corries in Scotland, its loch encircled by the serrated pinnacles of An Teallach and Corrag Buidhe. It comes as a reward for the approach walk which gives heavy going.

Terrain

There is a rough, boggy path for some of the route but also some pathless sections. This walk crosses bleak terrain and is hard going; hillwalking skills and equipment required.

Accommodation

Walk Description

Stage 1

Park in a rough layby on the west side of the A832 about 300m north of the Badrallach turn off. Don't go over the stile at the back of the layby, instead along the road to the north side of the stream before immediately turning left onto a rough path. This path heads through a dense rhododendron tunnel and has several extremely boggy sections; in one or two places it is marked by wooden posts. After a more open boggy area, head into a second, longer rhododendron tunnel, turning right inside the tunnel at a wooden post (alternatively this section can be avoided to the right of the bushes). Soon the tricky section through the trees is left behind and more open moorland is reached. The path becomes much better, with some good sections linking up the lengths of sandstone slabs that give the easiest walking. There are good views back over towards the woods around Corrie Hallie.

Stage 2

There is a wooden shed by the stream on the left, and slightly further on the path comes close to an attractive waterfall. This section of the route is waymarked by cairns. The gradient then begins to ease, and there are views up towards the corries of An Teallach over to the right. The first corrie you can see is Glas Tholl; Toll an Lochain is the more distant corrie further ahead. Enjoy your last views back towards Dundonnell House as the terrain becomes increasingly bleak.

Stage 3

After a fence there is another waterfall, this time with a pool which could be tempting on a hot day, and the confluence of two burns. The path forks here, with one branch continuing up towards Glas Tholl up the west side of the Allt a' Ghlas Thuill which flows down from Glas Tholl. Our route crosses the tributary but not the main river; note that this is impassable in spate and the water level can rise quickly. Soon the route leads to a short rocky ascent to the right of the falls. Above this the next section of the route becomes trickier for navigation (not to mention keeping your feet dry) as the path soon fades out. The best walking is provided by the long, flat sandstone slabs, and it's a good idea to keep over to the right away from the boggiest, flattest ground near the burn. With any luck you'll find traces of a path which then begins to improve once more on the northern slopes of the glen.

Stage 4

The line of quartzite crags on the southeast side of the valley are unbroken for some length, but most eyes will be drawn towards the much higher cliffs of Sail Liath and the pinnacle of the Cadha Ghobhlach ahead. After gaining a fair amount of height the path begins to level off once more below the corrie and comes closer to the stream again.

Stage 5

The path fades out again as Toll an Lochain is approached. In spite of the lack of a path, the final approach to the loch is straightforward. The loch is reached at a low dam of stones where the stream issues from it. The views here are unforgettable; the beautiful sheet of water is encircled by huge crags. The most impressive part of all is the great headwall at the back of the corrie, topped by the pinnacles of Corrag Buidhe and Lord Berkeley's seat. This wall has been nicknamed 'the British Eigerwand' and offers ice-climbing in winter.

Stage 6

When you've spent enough time savouring the special atmosphere of this magical place, it's time to begin your return. The most usual and easiest way back is to return by the outward route - no hardship as the views remain superb. Keen hillwalkers can make an alternative but more awkward return by crossing the dam and descending the other side of the valley; after a short distance it is possible to traverse round to the right, contouring the slopes to escape the glen on its south side to reach Lochan na Brathan. From here the path between Corrie Hallie and Shenavall is easily gained by descending slightly southeastwards. This can then be followed back to Corrie Hallie and the main road.